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Interest Slowly Building In Pittsfield Municipal Election

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It is still early but interest in the municipal election is slowly building.
 
Only incumbent Mayor Linda Tyer has announced a campaign for re-election so far but three others have taken out nomination papers, indicating a possible challenge. Former Pittsfield Police Officer Karen Kalinwosky, Rusty Anchor owner Scott Graves, and resident Craig Gaetani have also pulled papers.
 
Graves and Gaetani could also be considering other seats as well. Graves also took out papers for city clerk, potentially challenging incumbent Michele Benjamin who is running for re-election. Gaetani also drew papers for two council seats, an at-large seat and Ward 6. An individual can only run for one seat in the election.
 
On the City Council, most of the incumbents have taken out nomination papers. The only incumbents who haven't take out papers is Ward 6 Councilor John Krol and Anthony Simonelli, both of whom have said they would not be seeking re-election, and Melissa Mazzeo, who has been long rumored as a potential mayoral candidate but has not declared her intentions. 
 
Helen Moon, Kevin Morandi, Nicholas Caccamo, Chris Connell, and Donna Todd Rivers have all taken out papers for their respective wards and, as of yet, no potential challenges have taken out papers. 
 
In Ward 6, Edward Carmel, who ran for an at-large seat last election, and former Councilor Joseph Nichols took out papers. In Ward 7, Jeffrey Ferrin, a former mayoral candidate, took out papers.
 
Only three people have taken out papers for a potential run for the School Committee, those being incumbents William Cameron, Joshua Cutler, and Daniel Elias.
 
It is still very early in the election season and any actual candidates are far from being known but the interest so far shows that there could be some potential races coming ahead.

Tags: election 2019,   municipal election,   


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Cyclists Pedal Into Berkshire Bike Month

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Berkshire Bike Path Council President Marge Cohan addresses bikers at the event. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Clad in helmets and bright colors, more than 20 people gathered in Park Square to kick on Berkshire Bike Month on Wednesday.

The month of May will be stacked with bicycle-centered events throughout the county — beginning with an eight-mile loop from the city's center that ends at Hot Plate Brewing Co.

"We have we have a lot of things going on in Pittsfield for bicycles and for safety," Commissioner of Public Services and Utilities Ricardo Morales said.

"We're not anywhere near where we should be. We have a lot of work to do."

Bike month is meant to promote the safe use of streets for anyone and everyone no matter how they are traveling, he said The commissioner is especially excited about Bike to Work Day on May 17, as he can register to be recognized for his typical commute.

He presented a proclamation to President of the Berkshire Bike Path Council President Marge Cohan. It states that the city is committed to the health of its citizens and environment, safe cycling with road bike lanes and the extension of the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, and that the Police Department encourages safe cycling by distributing lights and helmets and accompanies the city's Ride Your Bike to School event.

BBPC is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Cohan said the quarter century has been full of commitment to bike paths and bike safety throughout Berkshire County "on roads, on trails, on tracks, and on paths."

"In expanding our mission in this way we have been able to encompass all kinds of cycles and all kinds of riders," she said.

She noted that participants range from babies to 90-year-old people. Bike month includes events for all ages.

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